In what is believed to be a first for Irish cycling, an open race was cancelled at the weekend due to the extreme temperatures (Photo: AlinaMD)
Irish cyclists are accustomed to early season races being cancelled due to snow or frost. And storms have also forced the cancelation or postponement of races in recent years.
But this past weekend appeared to be a first for the sport here when a road TT was cancelled due to the extreme heat, something we are not aware of ever happening before.
Blarney Cycling Club was set to promote the Cork County Time Trial Championships and National Paracycling Series TT.
However, it decided to cancel the 22km event due to the very high temperatures forecast, with 29°C reached on the day.
Cycling Ireland advised the club the extreme heat could put some of the para riders under additional stress, and so a decision was taken to cancel.
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The open TT - the Cork championship - had poor numbers entered at that point. And a decision was taken to postpone that race until the same date the para TT is rescheduled to.
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"Due to the forecast heatwave this Saturday, we’ve made the decision to cancel our TT event," the club said in a statement.
"With temperatures expected to be exceptionally high, there are concerns not only for everyone’s safety and wellbeing but also about how the heat could affect road conditions.
"While we’re disappointed not to be riding, the safety of all participants, volunteers, and spectators has to come first.
"Thank you for your understanding, and we hope to see you all at our next event. Stay safe, stay cool, and take care in the heat."
The club added refunds to those who had already signed up would be issued as soon as possible and that every rider would be contacted directly by the club.
